6 Causes For A Beeping Fridge

You know your refrigerator is in perfect working order when it is not making any noise. On the other hand, a beeping sound indicates that something is wrong with the appliance. It could be a minor problem that you can resolve in minutes or something far more complex that needs professional attention.

The first thing you need to do is check the fridge manual to understand what the beeping signifies and what you can do to stop it. If you cannot find the relevant information, simply unplug the fridge for a few seconds and plug it back in. If it was a minor hitch, the fridge should stop beeping.

However, if the beeping persists, do a quick check for the following:

  1. Check if fridge and freezer are overfilled: Over-stuffing of these compartments will prevent the doors from closing properly and can cause the fridge to set off a beeping alarm.
  2. Check the fridge door seals: Broken or damaged door seals may prevent the fridge from closing. This can also happen if the seals are dirty. Wipe clean the door seals with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water, and close the fridge doors. If the door still appears ajar, then you need to replace the door seals.It is also possible that the inbuilt door-alarm (which sets off if the fridge door is ajar for more than a few minutes) has tripped. This would need to be looked at by a qualified repair technician. Until, you can call a technician, transfer all the food items to another cool place.
  3. Check the fridge balance: To function properly the fridge must be placed on a levelled surface. Even a slight tilt in the fridge structure can set off a beeping alarm. Check if the fridge is balanced evenly.
  4. Check if the fridge exterior is warmer than usual: Check if there is adequate distance between the fridge and walls to allow for proper ventilation. If you have already ensured this, and the fridge exterior still appears warmer than usual, have an appliance engineer look at the problem. If the beeping continues, switch-off the fridge.
  5. Check the freezer: If your fridge does not have an auto-defrost function then excessive ice-build up in the freezer can cause the beeping alarm. If you see a lot of ice build-up in the icebox or freezer, switch off the fridge and let the ice thaw. Once the fridge is thawed, the beeping should stop.
  6. Have a technician check the circuit board: It is possible that there is a problem with the appliance’s circuit board. If so, it will most likely need replacement.

Please remember:

Appliances should be serviced regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions – found in the product manual. If you have a problem with an appliance, call in a NICEIC or Gas-Safe registered appliance engineer to repair your appliance. Don’t forget that if your appliance is not working optimally, you should also have it serviced to prevent causing damage to the appliance.